Dr. Song Gao

(Click to enlarge photo)

Research Interests

Education

 

Ph.D. in Transportation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2005.
M.S. in Transportation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2002.
B.S. in Civil Engineering, summa cum laude, Tsinghua University, China, 1999.

 

Experience

Classes Taught

 

CEE Engin 509 Transportation System Analysis

CE-ENGIN 270 Sys Analysis & Econ Civil Engin

 

Recent Papers Published

 

Paciulli, M., J. Collura and S. Gao. Developing an Evaluation Approach to Assess Large Scale ITS Infrastructure Improvements: I-91 Project in Massachusetts. "Transportation Research Record", vol 2243, 2011, Pages 81-88.

Gao, S.. Modeling Strategic Route Choice and Real-Time Information Impacts in Stochastic and Time-Dependent Networks. "IEEE Transactionn on Intelligent Transportation Systems", vol 13, number 3, 2012, Pages 1298-1311.

Ben-Akiva, M. E., Gao, S., Wei, Z. and Wen, Y.. A Dynamic Traffic Assignment Model for Highly Congested Urban Networks. "Transportation Research Part C", vol 24, 2012, Pages 62-82.

Hu, X., Gao, S., Chiu, Y. and Lin, D.. Modeling Routing Behavior for Vacant Taxi Cabs in Urban Traffic Netwroks. "Transportation Research Record", vol 2284, 2012, Pages 81-88.

Gao, S. and Huang, H.. Real-Time Information for Optimal Adaptive Routing in Stochastic Time- Dependent Networks. "Transportation Research Part C", vol 21, number 1, 2012, Pages 196-213.

Lu, X., Gao, S. and Ben-Elia, E.. Information Impacts on Route Choice and Learning Behavior in a Congested Network: An Experimental Approach. "Transportation Research Record", vol 2243, 2011, Pages 89-98.

Huang, H. and S. Gao. Optimal Paths in Dynamic Networks with Dependent Random Link Travel Times. "Transportation Research Part B", vol 46, number 5, 2012, Pages 579-598.

Hu, X.*, Gao, S., Chiu, Y. and Lin, D. (Accepted). Modeling Routing Behavior for Vacant

Taxi Cabs in Urban Traffic Networks. Transportation Research Record. Accepted Feb. 10,

2012.

 

Lu, X.*, Gao, S., Ben-Elia, E. and Pothering, R.* (Accepted). Travelers’ Day-to-Day Route

Choice Behavior with Real-Time Information in a Congested Risky Network. Mathematical

Population Studies. Accepted Jan. 18, 2012.

 

Razo, M.* and Gao, S. (Forthcoming). A Rank-Dependent Expected Utility Model for

Strategic Route Choice with Stated Preference Data. Transportation Research Part C.

doi:10.1016/j.trc.2011.08.009

 

Gao, S. (Forthcoming). Modeling Strategic Route Choice and Real-Time Information Impacts

in Stochastic and Time-Dependent Networks. IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation

Systems. doi:10.1109/TITS.2012.2187197

 

Huang, H.* and Gao, S. (2012). Optimal Paths in Dynamic Networks with Dependent Random

Link Travel Times. Transportation Research Part B 46(5):579-598.

doi:10.1016/j.trb.2012.01.005

 

Ben-Akiva, M. E., Gao, S., Wei, Z.* and Wen, Y. (2012). A Dynamic Traffic Assignment

Model for Highly Congested Urban Networks. Transportation Research Part C 24:62-82.

doi:10.1016/j.trc.2012.02.006

 

Gao, S. and Huang, H.* (2012). Real-Time Traveler Information for Optimal Adaptive Routing

in Stochastic Time-Dependent Networks. Transportation Research Part C 21(1):196-213.

doi:10.1016/j.trc.2011.09.007

 

Gao, S., Frejinger, E. and Ben-Akiva, M. E. (2011). Cognitive Cost in Route Choice Models.

Transportation Research Part A 45(9):916-926. doi:10.1016/j.tra.2011.04.008

 

Lu, X.*, Gao, S. and Ben-Elia, E. (2011). Information Impacts on Route Choice and Learning

Behavior in a Congested Network: An Experimental Approach. Transportation Research

Record 2243:89-98. doi:10.3141/2243-11

 

Paciulli, M.*, Collura, J. and Gao, S.. (2011). Developing an Evaluation Approach to Assess

Large Scale ITS Infrastructure Improvements: I-91 Project in Massachusetts. Transportation

Research Record 2243:81-88. doi:10.3141/2243-10

 

Andrews, S.*, Wang*, H., Ni, D., Gao, S. and Collura, J. (2010). Development and Implementation

of an Adapted Evacuation Planning Methodology in the Framework of Emergency

Management and Disaster Response: A Case Study Using TranCAD. Journal of Transportation

Safety and Security 2(4):352-368. doi:10.1080/19439962.2010.517743

 

Razo, M.* and Gao, S. (2010). Strategic Thinking and Risk Attitudes in Route Choice: A

Stated Preference Approach. Transportation Research Record 2156:28-35. doi:10.3141/2156-04

 

Gao, S., Frejinger, E. and Ben-Akiva, M. E. (2010). Adaptive Route Choices in Risky Traffic

Networks: A Prospect Theory Approach. Transportation Research Part C 18(5):727-740.

doi:10.1016/j.trc.2009.08.001

 

Recent Conference Proceedings

 

Lu, X.*, Gao, S., Ben-Elia, E. and Pothering, R.* Information Impacts on Travelers’ Route

Choice Behavior in a Risky, Congested Network. The 91st Annual Meeting of Transportation

Research Board. Washington, DC, Jan. 22-26, 2012.

 

Hu, X.*, Gao, S., Chiu, Y. and Lin, D. Modeling Routing Behavior for Vacant Taxi Cabs

in Urban Traffic Networks. The 91st Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board.

Washington, DC, Jan. 22-26, 2012.

 

Huang, H.* and Gao, S. Trajectory-Adaptive Routing in Dynamic Networks with Dependent

Random Link Travel Times. The 91st Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board.

Washington, DC, Jan. 22-26, 2012.

 

Tian, H.*, Gao, S., Fisher, D. L. and Post, B.* A Mixed-Logit Latent-Class Model of Strategic

Route Choice Behavior with Real-time Information. The 91st Annual Meeting of Transportation

Research Board. Washington, DC, Jan. 22-26, 2012.

 

Plotnikov, M.*, Collura, J., Burleson, W. and Gao, S. Evaluating Impacts of Placing Tolls

on Interstate Highways. The 91st Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board Compendium.

Washington, DC, Jan. 22-26, 2012.

 

Lu, X.*, Gao, S., Ben-Elia, E. and Pothering, R.* Information Impacts on Travelers’ Route

Choice Behavior in a Congested Risky Network. The 16th International Conference of Hong

Kong Society for Transportation Studies, Dec. 17-20, 2011.

 

Lu, X.*, Gao, S., Ben-Elia, E. and Pothering, R.* Information Impacts on Travelers’ Route

Choice Behavior in a Congested Risky Network. The Annual Meeting of the Institute for

Operations Research and Management Science, Charlotte, NC, Nov. 13-18, 2011.

 

Hu, X.*, Gao, S., Chiu, Y. and Lin, D. A Routing Behavior Model for Vacant Taxi Cabs in

Urban Traffic Networks. The Annual Meeting of the Institute for Operations Research and

Management Science, Charlotte, NC, Nov. 13-18, 2011.

 

Huang, H.* and Gao, S. Trajectory-Adaptive Routing in Dynamic Networks with Dependent

Random Link Travel Times. The Annual Meeting of the Institute for Operations Research

and Management Science, Charlotte, NC, Nov. 13-18, 2011.

 

Tian, H.*, Gao, S., Fisher, D. L. and Post, B.*Modeling Route Choice Behavior in a Driving

Simulator with Real-Time Information. The Annual Meeting of the Institute for Operations

Research and Management Science, Charlotte, NC, Nov. 13-18, 2011.

 

Gao, S., Frejinger, E. and Ben-Akiva, M. Cognitive Cost in Route Choice with Real-Time

Information: An Exploratory Analysis. The 19th International Symposium on Transportation

and Traffic Theory (ISTTT19). Berkeley, CA, July 18-20, 2011.

 

Lu, X.*, Gao, S. and Ben-Elia, E. Information Impacts on Route Choice and Learning in

a Congested Network: An Experimental Approach. The 19th Triennial Conference of the

International Federation of Operational Research Societies. Melbourne, Australia, July 10-

15, 2011.

Lu, X.*, Gao, S. and Ben-Elia, E. Information Impacts on Route Choice and Learning Behavior

in a Congested Network: An Experimental Approach. The 90th Annual Meeting of

Transportation Research Board. Washington, DC, Jan. 23-27, 2011.

 

Tian, H.*, Gao. S., Fisher, D. L. and Post, B.* Route Choice Behavior in a Driving Simulator

with Real-Time Information. The 90th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board.

Washington, DC, Jan. 23-27, 2011.

 

Paciulli, M.*, Collura, J. and Gao, S.. Developing an Evaluation Approach to Assess Large

Scale ITS Infrastructure Improvements: I-91 Project in Massachusetts. The 90th Annual

Meeting of Transportation Research Board. Washington, DC, Jan. 23-27, 2011.

 

Ben-Akiva, M. E., Gao, S., Wei, Z. and Wen, Y. A Dynamic Traffic Assignment Model for

Highly Congested Urban Networks. The 90th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research

Board. Washington, DC, Jan. 23-27, 2011.

 

Huang, H. and Gao, S.. Optimal Paths in Dynamic Networks with Dependent Random Link

Travel Times. The 90th Annual Meeting of Transportation Research Board. Washington,

DC, Jan. 23-27, 2011.

 

Recent Research Contracts Funded

 

Trajectory-Adaptive Route Choice Models: Specification, Choice Set Generation and Estimation. New England University Transportation Center. Gao, S. and Balasubramanian, H. J. 9/1/2010 3/31/2013  $79,302.

Agent-Based Approach for Integrated Driver and Traveler Behavior Modeling: Theory, Methodology, and Application to Transportation Management and Investment Planning. Federal Highway Administration. Zhang, L. and Gao, S. 4/1/2011 - 3/31/2014 $650,000.

EU-US ATLANTIS Program: Policy Analysis for Complex Transport Systems. US Department of Education. Polydoropoulou, A., M. Ben-Akiva, R. Macario, E. Van de Voorde and S. Gao 9/1/2010 - 8/31/ $77,000.

Evaluating Realtime Information Benefits for the Pioneer Valley Region. University of Massachusetts University Transportation Center. Gao, S. 10/1/2010 2- /28/2013 $79,706.

Route Choice in a Risky Traffic Network: Econometric vs. Process  Modeling Paradigms. University of  Massachusetts University Transportation Center. Gao, S. 10/1/2011 - 2/28/2013 $49,750.

Active Evaluation of the Traveler Information Service Provided by the Regional Traveler Information

Center. Massachusetts Department of Transportation. $37,136.

Gao, S. (PI) and Patil, G. Commute Rideshare for Sustainable Transportation in Northern

Rural Communities: Understanding the Market and Designing Attractive Programs. New

England Transportation Consortium. $150,000. Agreement under way.

 

Gao, S. (PI). Route Choice in a Risky Traffic Network: Econometric vs. Process Modeling

Paradigms. US Department of Transportation through University of Massachusetts University

Transportation Center. Oct. 2011 - Sep. 2012. $49,749.

 

Zhang, L. and Gao, S. (co-PI). Agent-based Approach for Integrated Driver and Traveler

Behavior Modeling: Theory, Methodology, and Applications to Transportation Management

and Investment Planning. Exploratory Advanced Research Program (EARP) of Federal Highway

Administration (FHWA). Apr. 2011 - Mar. 2014. $650,000.

 

Gao, S. (PI). Evaluating Real-time Traveler Information Benefits for the Pioneer Valley Region.

US Department of Transportation through University of Massachusetts University

Transportation Center. Oct. 2010 - Mar. 2012. $79,037.

 

McDonald, A., Garcia, R., Gao, S. (co-PI) and Chan, K. NOx No More: Connecting Travel

Logs with Simulation, Gaming, and Environmental Education. HASTAC/MacArthur Foundation.

Sep. 2010 - Aug. 2011. $155,000.

 

Polydoropoulou, A., Ben-Akiva, M. E., Macario, R., Van de Voorde, E. and Gao, S. (co-

PI). EU-US ATLANTIS Program: Policy Analysis for Complex Transport Systems. US

Department of Education. Sep. 2010 - Sep. 2012. $77,000.

 

Gao, S. (PI) and Balasubrumanian, H. Trajectory-Adaptive Route Choice Models: Specification,

Choice Set Generation, and Estimation. US Department of Transportation through New

England University Transportation Center. Sep. 2010 - Aug. 2012. $79,302.

 

Gao, S. (PI). Characterizing Traffic under Uncertain Disruptions: An Experimental Approach.

US Department of Transportation through New England University Transportation

Center. Nov. 2009 - Aug. 2011. $79,163.

 

Gao, S. (PI). Stochastic Dependencies of Traffic Networks in Adaptive Routing with Real-

Time Information. US Department of Transportation through University of Massachusetts

University Transportation Center. Oct. 2009 - Mar. 2011. $62,445.

 

Gao, S. (PI) and Fisher, D. L. Adaptive Route Choice Models with Real-Time Information.

US Department of Transportation through New England University Transportation Center.

Apr. 2009 - Aug. 2011. $74,378.

 

Collura, J., Gao, S. (co-PI) and Ni, D. Evacuation Planning. Berkshire Regional Planning

Commission, Franklin Regional Council of Governments and the Pioneer Valley Planning

Commission. Sep. 2008 - Jun. 2009. $100,000.

 

Gao, S. (PI). Value of Information for Optimal Adaptive Routing in Stochastic Time-Dependent

Traffic Networks: Algorithms and Computational Tools. US Department of Transportation

through University

 

Recent Honors and Awards

 

• Member of the Winning Team, MacArthur Digital Media and Learning Competition, 2010.
(Press Release)
• Honorable Mention (Second Place), Dissertation Prize Competition of the Transportation Science
and Logistics (TSL) Society, Institute for Operations Research andManagement Science
(INFORMS), 2005
• MIT United Parcel Service (UPS) Doctoral Fellowship, 2001-2002
• MIT Presidential Fellowship, 1999-2000